Big Bus Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- Free cancellation up to 1 day before
- Instant confirmation
About this experience
The Big Bus is the least complicated way to get the measure of Dubai. Open-top double-deckers run two loops and your ticket is valid on both: the Red City Route and the Blue Beach Route each take about an hour and a half. Red City Route buses come round roughly every hour and Blue Beach Route buses every two hours, every day of the year.
The lower deck is air-conditioned and the upper deck is open to the sky. Single-use headsets carry recorded commentary in twelve languages, so you get the history of what you are passing rather than just the view of it. Hop off at any of the ten stops, stay as long as you like, and pick up the next bus through.
Three tickets are available. Discover is one day on the buses. Essential adds a second day plus the Lost World Aquarium. Explore runs five days and adds entry to Dubai Frame on top.
Next available dates
What’s included
- Hop-on hop-off travel on the Red City Route and the Blue Beach Route, valid for the duration of the ticket you choose
- Single-use audio headset with recorded commentary in twelve languages
- Essential ticket also includes the Lost World Aquarium
- Explore ticket also includes the Lost World Aquarium and entry to Dubai Frame
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Entry to attractions along the route, unless named in the ticket you book
- Hotel transfers to and from the starting point at Dubai Mall
- Food, drinks and any personal spending during the tour
Itinerary
- 1
Start at the Dubai Mall stop
The Big Bus stop at Dubai Mall (Zabeel parking) is where most people join. The Blue Beach Route's first departure from here is 10:30; the day's first bus overall is the Red City Route at 10:00 from Stop 1, Wafi Mall. After that, Red City Route buses run roughly hourly and Blue Beach Route buses every two hours. You can also board at any other stop on either route.
- 2
The Red City Route, about 1 hour 30
The city loop takes in Downtown, the creek and the old quarter - the Dubai Frame, Al Fahidi and its wind towers, the souqs of Deira and the abra crossings. Hop off at any stop, stay as long as you like, and pick up the next bus through.
- 3
The Blue Beach Route, about 1 hour 30
The coastal loop stops at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, beside the Burj Al Arab, and at Atlantis The Palm. Your ticket covers both routes, so you can switch between them as often as you like.
- 4
What the longer tickets add
Discover is one day on the buses. Essential adds a second day plus the Lost World Aquarium. Explore runs five days and adds entry to Dubai Frame on top. Everything else along the route is paid separately.
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 day
- How you meet
- Meet on location
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Cancellation policy
- Free cancellation up to 1 day before
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Start times
- 10:00
Know before you go
- The first bus of the day is the Red City Route, leaving Stop 1 at Wafi Mall at 10:00 am. The Blue Beach Route starts later, at 10:30 am from Stop 2, Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall. The last departure varies by route, so check the timetable for your travel date.
- Buses run every day of the year, reaching each stop roughly every 60 minutes on the Red City Route and every 2 hours on the Blue Beach Route, so allow for that wait if you miss one.
- Your ticket is valid on both the Red City Route and the Blue Beach Route. A full loop of either route takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- This is a daytime tour with recorded commentary rather than a live guide.
- The upper deck is open to the sky. Bring sun protection in the warmer months, and note that the open deck may close in bad weather.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 day before the experience starts.
- 1 day or more before: full refund
- Less than 1 day before: no refund
Meeting point
View on map
Big Bus stop, Dubai Mall (Zabeel parking)
- Address
- Dubai Mall - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, Dubai, AE
- How you meet
- Meet on location
- Coordinates
- 25.19723, 55.27975
Illustrative map. Open it in Maps for the exact spot and live directions.
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 1 day.
Can I cancel this booking?
Free cancellation up to 1 day before the experience starts. 1 day or more before: full refund · Less than 1 day before: no refund
Is hotel pickup included?
No — you make your own way to the meeting point.
Where does this experience start?
It starts at Big Bus stop, Dubai Mall (Zabeel parking), Dubai Mall - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, Dubai, AE.
Still have a question?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we can help with dates, group bookings and anything else before you book.
From AED 171 per personFree cancellation
